Disney’s “Snow White” live-action remake dances onto screens with a dazzling swirl of charm and controversy, landing as a surprising win. Rachel Zegler shines as Snow White, a princess exiled by her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot), who’s hell-bent on staying the “fairest.” Fleeing to the woods, she rallies seven CGI-crafted dwarfs—Grumpy, Doc, and crew—to reclaim her kingdom. New songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, like the zesty “Princess Problems,” inject fresh pep, while classics like “Heigh-Ho” keep the nostalgia humming.

Zegler’s radiant voice and grit steal the show, turning Snow into a leader, not a damsel, though Gadot’s vampy Queen chews scenery with glee. Marc Webb’s direction leans frothy and fun, sidestepping the clunky weight of past remakes like Mulan. The dwarfs’ mo-cap design jars—less fairy-tale, more uncanny valley—but the lush visuals and woodland whimsy mostly enchant. After a storm of pre-release backlash (casting gripes, dwarf debates), this $250M reboot proves its mettle, even if it’s not flawless.